Join us for The Annual Workshop 2025
Tuesday, October 21
9 a.m. to noon
Illini Union (rooms A, B and C)
Registration Now Open
Agenda
8:30-9:15 a.m. - Light Refreshments & Networking
9:15-10:00 a.m. - Annual Briefing on Graduate Education
Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, Dean of the Graduate College & Vice Provost for Graduate Education
10:10-11:00 a.m. - Navigating Graduate Offer Letters: Admission, Employment, and Everything In Between
Elizabeth Spark, Assistant Dean for Graduate Admissions & Enrollment (Graduate College), Beth Phillips (Illinois Human Resources), Alexis Thompson, Associate Dean for Student Success (Graduate College)
This session presents newly revised templates for graduate admission offers as well as a discussion around employment offer letters, designed to enhance clarity and consistency. Our team will share practical strategies for crafting communications that are transparent, student-centered, and aligned across academic and HR domains.
11:00 a.m.-Noon - Supporting Graduate Student Wellbeing: Insights from Campus Partners
Martin McFarlane (ISSS) Heather Stout (DRES), Ann Marie Morgan (ODOS), Carla McCowan (Counseling Center)
Hear from four campus units who work closely with graduate students: The Counseling Center, Office of the Dean of Students, Disability Resources and Educational Services, and International Student and Scholar Services. Short presentations will be followed by Q & A.
The Annual Workshop sessions will not be available online. Slides (if available) may be shared following the workshop. Please email grad@illinois.edu with any questions.